I think most North Americans would completely freak out if they experienced a European resort in high season. It still amazes me that Europe hasn't cottoned on to alternating lift lines and a bit of customer service from the lifties. When it's busy it really helps keep the crowds calm.
a bit of customer service
Yep. I remember a Canadian liftie dealing with the "crowd" at a chairlift by sitting up on a lifeguard-style high chair and asking us Trivial Pursuit questions while we queued. 😀
The little boxes of tissues at each lift are a nice touch too.
But mostly it's the [i]"After you", "No, no, after you I insist"[/i] attitude that is a stark contrast to the[i] anything-goes-Euro-rammy[/i] approach.
This was our Boys trip a couple of seasons back.....filmed by me on my iphone! 8)
That's a quality "Ski Fail" video right there.
Tweak the brightness and colours up a bit, submit it to [url= http://jukinvideo.com/ ]Jukin Video[/url] and watch your licensing payments roll in 😀
I realise Whistler is quite a bit busier than Fernie by the way, but even then there is "Canada Busy"
The biggest difference for me is the lift situation when it's busy.
In Europe you've got people clawing at your face trying to get ahead of you in the queue. Stamping all over your skis and acting like they can't even see you.
In Canada you ease up to let someone in the queue and they say "No, after you!" with a smile 🙂 Even when you've got two queues merging into one, they automatically merge in equal numbers from each side! This of course applies slightly less in Whistralia, for obvious reasons 😉
In Canada you ease up to let someone in the queue and they say "No, after you!" with a smile
Gotta love those polite Canucks!
When riding the Whistler Gondola alone, my missus was joined by a small group of park-rats who said to her:
"excuse me ma'am ... would you mind if we smoked a joint on the ride up?"
How impolite. Surely they should have offered to share.
Surely they should have offered to share
I believe they did ... 🙄
Whenever we've skied in North America, we get into the 'singles queue', for some reason it always makes me giggle, when the liftie shouts out, 'single'.
Anyone got any general advice for either Trysil or Are (insert accent above A)?
I realise Whistler is quite a bit busier than Fernie by the way,
Stopped going to Whistler after 2006 because the peak season queues were starting to get a bit "Alpine". Then we discovered the Interior BC resorts and never looked back. It's great being able to wake up on a powder day and ski straight onto the lift.
"Alps Busy"
Look at it! Heaving!
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🙂
I'm guessing that isn't Half Term at an affordable resort tho eh?
I'm curious, where is that?
As it's Flashy I'm 99% sure the answer will be Serre Che. 😀
Top two are L'Yret, and the last is the top of Grand Serre, all at the lovely Serre Chevalier.
And yes, Graham, not exactly high season! 😀
*Edit @Graham 😀 *
I was looking last night at a cheeky short break to Serre Che, but no options for flights from the SW other than at weekends to Grenoble & Turin and it's a long way from Geneva. Come on easyjet & Ryanair get it together.
Come on easyjet & Ryanair get it together.
NO, NO, NO! Please don't! We don't want [i]everyone[/i] being able to get there!
BA operate regular flights from LGW to Turin. Which is nice. 😀
If you live in London..
Is it still an itinerary round the back from L Yret right down to the bottom of Monetier? It's not on the map anymore?
I'd love to go back there,
Is it still an itinerary round the back from L Yret right down to the bottom of Monetier?
Down Eychauda, and then pick your route, basically. There's a great black off to the left as you descend (Bachas?), not good in late season though.
This is the oldest map I can find, when I worked there there was an itinerary in the Tabuc valley further to the right on the map, than the Tabuc black. It started skiers left off the top of L'yret. Fond memories of great snow and some wreckless attitudes or complete ignorance to safety.
[url= 
]piste map[/url]
😯
Fresh underpants please!
Ouch.
Ouch indeed! He was lucky to get away with that!
I do wonder if we're going to see a proliferation of asshats doing stuff they shouldn't (Not that I know if that chap should or shouldn't have tried that) just because of their GoPros and the hope that they can drop a psikk edit.*
There have certainly been more people not paying attention to lines because they're more interested in their selfie-stick-silliness. The worry is that the pics of the people who ARE capable always make it look soooo easy.
*The p is silent, as in "the bath".
quick question :
last time I skied , 1996 , i had some Salomon skis , very long ( size 7 or 8 in salomon ) .
since then, ski technology has moved on quite a bit .
i have booked some hire skis , advanced level , and i am slighty worried I wont know how to ski anymore .
am i worrying for nothing ?
I used to be a fairly confident and able skier , could ski anywhere on piste , and technique was good too .
on a different note , it seems the snow is finally arriving on the Alps .
I'm in no way qualified to advise.
But I'm going to do it anyway 😀
In your position I'd book some 1:1 instruction for arrival day and take it from there.
My brother in law skied at school. Fast forward 14 years and driving to resort the conversation was jumps, skiing backward blah blah.
First turn on the beginner slope, fell and slid most of the way on his back.
Still no jumps but after a couple of hours he had picked it back up.
Days Of My Youth from MSP is on Redbull TV this weekend. Well worth a watch.
Modern skis are much easier to potter about on compared with the old straight things that wouldn't fit under a door. Making good use of them requires a significant change in technique though.
What do you mean by "advanced skis", Chris. A pair of 35m radius FIS giant slalom skis are not very nice unless the snow is perfect and you have the whole descent to yourself. Slalom skis with an 11m radius are much more fun and allow pottering or really physical skiing. Tourist skis that are a bit wider with a about a 17m radius will be much more forgiving than either and not leave you exhausted after the first descent.
just booked them online .
i ll ask the shop when i pick them up . i hope , skiing is a bit like riding a bike , you never forget .
the small resorts next to my home town in france are covered in snow while the ones in the Alps are nowhere near ready .
The mountains were looking pretty white from Pau today. They've been making artificial snow for a couple of days. I could no doubt do a rando tomorrow but will wait for a bit more sous-couche.
but even then there is "Canada Busy":
Looks like Harmony ridge! 😀
"excuse me ma'am ... would you mind if we smoked a joint on the ride up?"
😆
Well I hope there is snow Champagny/La Plagne! Or WILL be in 3 weeks time.
Looks like Harmony ridge!
10 points to Gryffindor.
Also I should probably point out that six of the people in that "crowd" are actually with me. 🙂
Skiing will be occuring with the Piemonsters this weekend 😀
Probably...
Flashy, liking the look of Serre Che, lots of route options from lots of the lifts is appealing. Need to have a mooch about booking options(there's a cattle class package from Edi which is handy) but I'm keen on that place.
As mentioned above, get your self booked into learn the new way.i have booked some hire skis , advanced level , and i am slighty worried I wont know how to ski anymore .
Around about 2004 I had to re-learn how to ski. These new skis are so much easier, however technique is very different imo.
You'll probably pick it up very quickly 🙂
@piemonster did you get any advice on Trysil or Åre ? Can give a little if you need ...
I've just come back from Hemsedal, Norway from a long weekend. Decent snow base and a little fresh on Thursday night / Friday. Felt good to be back on snow after 7 month break.[IMG] 
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Man do Norwegians have it good
Were you in Australia?
Pics are upside down!
Pics were shot mid backflip.
Oh apologies if they are they look fine on my iPad and IPhone. How odd.
@piemonster did you get any advice on Trysil or Åre ? Can give a little if you need ...
Not yet, any advice welcome. There are flights to both from my nearest airport. Although I suspect Norway has the better snow record.
We'll be heading out late January, with that I have half an eye on the Alps or Andorra for longer days.
That skistar outfit seems to operate at both resorts although I've not yet looked for feedback as to whether they are any good.
Ok well Åre is brilliant if you get the snow. It is Steep and exposed to high winds , so it can be icy and challenging when those steep slopes get their snow blow away. However there are a lot of tree runs and when it is good it really is fantastic. very quiet and real feeling of being in the middle of nowhere.
Trysil, I must admit, I have not yet been to. I am going at the end of February so can confirm more then, but from speaking to friends the area is fairly large, but it is not particularly steep. The top of the mountain is featureless. It sounds good for a week and I have been to Sälen , the resort in the same area but on the Swedish side pf the border, which was Very family friendly but not challenging. I think Trysil will be more of the same, decent resort, good fun, quiet, good snow, but not a massive steep area where you never do the same thing twice. Also a pint will be 9 quid so bring booze.
Where are you traveling from ?
Pics were shot mid backflip.
Psikk, dood!
Pffft, I was doing front flips on my second day at ski school.
Flying out of either Edinburgh or Aberdeen. So direct routes to Oslo and Stockholm plus a few others.
howsyourdad1
Like your update on Norway.
Really enjoyed my first ski trip there last year, at Oslo Vinterpark and Skiekampen
So much so I will be at Skiekampen for easter.
I will be burdened by all of my parasites(who ski and board better than I do)
I have hired a minibus from Oslo airport, which will allow me to visit other nearby resorts.
Any recommendations on resorts/places around Lillehammer.
And yes £8 for a pint, now you say £9, a sobering price.
@clavboy cool glad you liked it!
The best nearby to Oslo are Hemsedal or Hafjell I think. Hafjell is where they had the DH (and that other discipline) MTB World Championships this year. Quite long runs, quite steep in places, good tree runs, brilliant parks, good lift system (a gondola!) with only a few drags. I went there with work Snowboarding so I have no idea about the price of accommodation but there was a lot about. Most Scandinavians do it self- catering so rent a stuga (chalet) and do your supermarket shopping on the way up if you want to save money (plus bring duty free). If not there are some lovely hotels. There is a decent English Bar their called Woodys. Newcastle Brown was 14 quid for a pint. "Is it my round again already?" cheaper local brews were available ?
http://www.hafjell.no/skipass-and-skiing-in-hafjell-ski-resort/webcams
Hemsedal is really good too, feels like a smaller area, but lots of good tree runs and 'side country' availability. Park is good too. Get a little more of a party crowd I think.
That being said, none of these places are huge expanses of 250km plus areas, 90 lifts etc. It's not the Alps. But that is also what is nice about them….!
[url= http://webtv.feratel.com/webtv/?cam=5685&design=960v2&c0=0&bgcolor=246FAC&color1=ffffff&color3=ffffff&color4=ffffff&color5=246FAC ]Snow cannons[/url]
Just a sprinkle of snow in the tyrol but at least its cold enough for the cannons!
Les Gets has snow as well and waiting for more.
Serre Che due to open this weekend. Cannons are cannoning hard, as there's really only enough snow up above the mid stations if the webcams are to be believed.
Cchris2lou - can you ask them to save some for Easter please.
Awesome.
Celebrity Culling on Ice aka The Jump is back on TV:
Superb. Car Crash TV at its finest.
I hope someone has warned the local A&E.
If anyone is still looking for a transceiver then ze germans are doing an Mammut Element for £200 with free shipping.
http://www.bergfreunde.co.uk/beacons/
Artificial snow only, ugh i'd rather stay in the bar than risk an icy, draggy death . Fingers crossed the snow dumps down soon .
zOMFG 😯
Free download available via this link (genuinely)
http://snowheads.com/ski-forum/viewtopic.php?t=114651
@hot-fiat - yes saw that on my feed yesterday, watched it a couple of times. The POV camera looks fairly "normal" then you watch it again and look at the gradient and the vertical drop, 'kin 'ell !
Gopros flatten everything which is a shame. I did taunt one of my fundamentalist Skier buddies by suggesting that you can see the tracks of a boarder who'd gone down first @56 seconds. 😈
Anyone know what speed he was doing through there? I saw one comment estimating it at 96mph 😯 but he didn't show his working.
Wow, that is one committed line!
I'd do that, but my shoulders are too broad so I wouldn't be able to squeeze through.
No other reason. Just that one.
😯
I'm amazed he managed to squeeze his enormous testicles through!
Oh, yes, that reason too.
I'd imagine he strapped them down to prevent flapping in the wind!
Amazon rage!! I ordered a jacket on the 2nd, selected 2-5 day delivery, there was no sign of it being dispatched yet two days ago on the Monday, so changed to 2-4 day. Still no sign of it today and noticed when I go in to view my orders that - "this item will be delivered after Christmas".. 🙁 - (going away on the 29th), so changed to 1-2 day delivery today, hopefully with a bit more joy now. But what are the chances of them suddenly sending me a refund when they realise they don't have any more stock of that particular jacket, leaving it too late to order a different one 👿 .
Yeah that line is pretty insane alright. Definitely worth some gnar points.
G...n...aaaaarrrrrrr
That sucks michael, best bet is to drop them an email or phone them up (if you can find a number). I've found Amazon are usually pretty decent at sorting stuff out.
I'm currently sitting in an office listening to the approximately 70mm of rain falling hoping that the freezing level drops significantly before the end of the day 🙁
That sucks michael,
Thanks.. somewhat sorted. Hadn't actually realised it was possible to ring up and speak to a person, but I did, and was told they don't have any more in stock. To be fair the woman on the phone was trying hard to find another suitable one for me, but I'm taking the refund.
What jacket were you after Michael?
Anyone used LGS in Les Gets for kids ski school - they have a 'Freeride' set of lessons for the week with smaller groups (<6) that looks good for my two boys in their second season? Any other good experiences of ski schools in Les Gets I've missed - there in late Jan. Cheers.
Snowing heavily at Cairngorm.
Granted they also have 80mph winds but hey, that's skiing in Scotland for you.
What jacket were you after Michael?
Was after the Powderhorn Corbet jacket in a size medium, to go with the pants I got in sale off Sportpursuit. Just want a good Gore tex outer shell. Can't seem to find it anywhere, so been looking at others now. Suggestions welcome, I like the look of the Armada ones. Might be better off seeing what I can get out in resort though.
Its not Scotland unless its also blowing stink, from what I've heard! 😛
Scotland. Horizontal precipitation; it's what we do.
I'd be interested so see if anyone has experience with these guys:
[url= http://www.thesportsoutlet.co.uk/ ]www.thesportsoutlet.co.uk[/url]
Are they reputable?
Are they like Sport Pursuit, and order in bulk, or do they hold stock and dispatch straight away?
They have Armada jackets as michaelmcc mentioned at 40% off.
99%chimp
We've used 360 in Les Gets and our elder one loved it. Out all over the hill on blues in the first year, easy reds the second and any reds the third. Parallel turns coming but not quite neat enough for them to be happy yet (weight too far back, turning on the inside ski - if as a broader I got that right). Our younger one did a couple of private lessons last year (he's three) the second of which included disappearing off up a chair and coming down a (carefully chosen) blue - 1-2-1 close supervision by the instructor and daddy following at a discrete distance. He also loved it.
We also used ESF one year and that didn't go well. The instructors were probably great technically but didn't seem to be able to relate to the kids as well.
Not used LGS but they've been around for quite a bit.
I posted the vid of Cody Whatisname riding that chute on fb. A mate pointed out that Travis Rice had scoped it out, prepped the drop-in and ridden it shortly before on a snowboard.
Cody's crew saw his track, waited for fresh snow and repeated it. Travis Rice's footage is part of a longer term project so it's not been released yet. Be interesting to see it though!